Each year, when the warm weather vegetation goes away, I’m surprised when this hand shack continues to stand in Taylor.   You might recall a post a few months ago, where I peeked inside it to see a lone high chair.  This is from Thursday afternoon, when rain and mist nicely cleaned up the background.  A hand shack, also called a pickers shack, was at one time a place to stay for seasonal farm workers.   A few of these dwellings remain on the Blackland Prairie, but this is one I notice.   For those unfamiliar with the phrase “Blackland Prairie” please note the dark soil.

Temperatures were in the 30s throughout the day, with rain arriving in the early-afternoon.   The rain continues tonight, into Friday morning.   Tomorrow night we dip down into the 20s.   These are from Georgetown areas this afternoon, including a woman walking her dog by the river at San Gabriel Park, a couple of misty photographs around the pond at Berry Springs Park and Preserve, concluding with a visit to the square tonight, where holiday lights were reflected on the very wet streets.   The rain-covered statue is Dan Moody, a Taylor native who served as governor from 1927-1931.  

Power lines aren’t always bad.  Sometimes they enhance a scene.   This is one I like, taken this week along a very peaceful and quiet country road close to Taylor.  Night was taking hold as this motorist drove under a fading western sky.   The cold tonality of the car’s headlights seemed to provide an interesting contrast to the surrounding warm colors.   I just like the feeling of serenity.

Texas Longhorns are majestic creatures, even when they’re little ones beginning to make their way in the world.   Note the horns starting to sprout.    Something seen this afternoon a little east of Taylor.

You often pass by a scene, but you move along, not inclined to take a photograph.   This evening, however, the skies over this place  just west of Taylor merited a photo.   A Blackland Prairie moment, friends.

Evening temperatures here are in the mid-20s, frigid weather for this area of Central Texas.    Most of us find refuge in our homes, but not everyone is able to do so.   Consider the homeless (unhoused) population in your area.   A warming shelter was made available last night at Georgetown’s San Gabriel Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.   The space was made possible by the church, with assistance from First Methodist Church, Helping Hands of Georgetown and Navigation Services, a group that helps people find the services they need.  The lady in red, Michelle Augustine, is Navigation Services founder, also a member of this Fellowship.   Presented are photographs taken last evening.   Conditions are not expected to improve for a while.   For now, the shelter will be open and available through at least Thursday morning, but perhaps longer if needed.   When documenting people in this environment I ask if it’s okay to take a photograph before proceeding.   If they’re not good with that, I move on.   On my daily walks in Taylor, miles east of here, I’ve seen a lady at a city park, huddled under the roof of a bandstand area, accompanied by her black dog.   It’s easy to see they’re bonded, but finding refuge is hard for them.   Circumstances are challenging for many.  

While in Georgetown late Sunday afternoon I decided to take a walk along the San Gabriel River Trail.   It wasn’t one of the usual exercise walks, just a casual stroll, from San Gabriel Park, past Rivery Park,  before returning a little after sunset.   The chilly weather hadn’t arrived yet, but it was quite windy.   The light was spun gold.

Things are still out there to see on my daily walks.   This group is from the end of 2024, followed by the first three days of 2025.   All were in Taylor.    I’d probably get more exercise if I’d quit stopping to take photographs, but it’s what I do.

Temperatures were in the mid-70s Friday afternoon, skies filled with clouds around Taylor.   Conditions were obviously just right for several paramotor enthusiasts taking their bird-like crafts out for a flight.  Watching them is enriching entertainment.    After a while at Taylor Regional Park, they disappeared from sight.  In past outings they’ve often flown northeast,  to Granger Lake.   With nothing pending, I drove to the lake, where they were once again enjoying the scenery before moseying back to Taylor.   It’s a good thing they had this outing on Friday.   Temperatures here are dropping throughout the day, dipping in the upper 20s tonight, with Monday’s high only into the 40s.  For friends in cooler climates that doesn’t seem like much, but we notice the changes here!

Since his 100th birthday in 2017, Al Blaschke has been skydiving three times, most recently in 2023, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott.  This afternoon I attended his 108th birthday party at The Wesleyan Assisted Living in Georgetown.